After 20 transformative years as Cooper Parry Wealth’s CEO, Stephen Jones is retiring in August and turning the page on an incredible career.
David Kendrick steps into his new role as Managing Director, pending regulatory approval, to build on the solid foundations that Stephen and the team have created over the last two decades – and continue taking the business and our client service from strength to strength.
Stephen will be conducting a detailed handover with David as he transitions into his new role. In the meantime, we caught up with the pair to hear about the past, present and future of CPW.
20 YEARS. COUNTLESS CHANGES. UNFORGETTABLE IMPACT
“I’m incredibly proud of the business we’ve built,” Stephen shared. “From 7 people in the team managing around £50m of assets when I joined in 2005, to 70+ people looking after well over £1.5bn of assets today.”
“I’m really pleased we took some brave decisions in that time,” he continued. “Transforming the business from transactional, low-quality IFA to what I believe is one of – if not the best – proper financial planning businesses in the UK. Our strapline has always been ‘Make Life Count’, and on top of the growth we’ve had, the awards we’ve won and the great client feedback we’ve had over the years, I’ve loved hearing stories of how our clients have been able to use the team’s advice to change their lives for the better and truly Make Life Count.”
“The growth journey we’ve been on, particularly over the last few years, has also allowed people in the business to build exceptional careers for themselves,” Stephen said. “We have multiple people who arrived at CPW as their first job out of university, now running significant parts of the business. That’s testament to the culture the team has created, the way we care for and support each other, and how that feeds into an exceptional service and life-changing impacts for our clients.”
“After 20 years, the time feels right to retire now,” he added. “I’ve swallowed a bit of my own financial planning medicine as both a client and the leader of the team. They’ve let me know I can retire now if I want to, and with the huge plans the business has, it will benefit from fresh leadership, ambition and energy. David is stepping in to provide exactly that. I have no doubts the next 20 years will be even more transformational than the last, and I look forward to watching the team develop and hearing more and more success stories from CPW’s clients. Thank you for all your support over the last 20 years, and if you ever fancy a round of golf, let me know!”
A FAMILIAR YET FRESH FACE POWERING CPW’S FUTURE
David Kendrick joined Cooper Parry in October 2024, when he was CEO of UHY Hacker Young Manchester and a pivotal figure in the deal that saw our businesses join forces.
An expert in helping businesses and colleagues develop while championing exceptional client service, there’s no one more suited to filling Stephen’s shoes.
“I’m very excited for this new challenge,” David told us. “The business and legacy that Stephen and the team have built over the last 20 years are nothing short of incredible. Going forward, our goal remains crystal-clear: to build the #1 wealth management offering in the UK, and we’ll be embracing and utilising technology to deliver additional efficiencies and client benefits, and of course, develop our already amazing team.”
“For now, it’s very much business as usual – for us and our clients. But if you know CPW, you’ll know that the business is centred on excellence. Then, as we continue to develop the team and our offering over the next few months and years, our clients can expect additional benefits, an enhanced service and even slicker support on the journey towards their ideal lifestyle. Congratulations to Stephen on an incredible career, and here’s to the next chapter.”
